Bounce Houses and Foam Pits

Brayden and Parker had lots of fun at Jordan's birthday party yesterday. Once Bray went through his "warm up" period, he had a great time :)

FFF #23 - Happy Leap Year!

I don't have any leaps -- but here are some hops from Gerson :)

So Where is Your Case???

I've been getting this question a lot lately -- unfortunately, I do not have a good answer. Our case is stuck. I don't know why, but PGN is holding it. We've been in for about 18 weeks now. They aren't kicking it out, they aren't approving it . . . it's just stuck. Waiting is always hard, but this waiting without any understanding of what we are waiting for or why - well, it is getting really, really hard!

So, I am asking you friends (and strangers), to please pray for our case.
Pray it unstuck.


I miss these guys terribly.

Handsome Little Elviz is looking more and more like a big boy. . . and more and more like his big brother.

I love this pic of Gerson with his friends, Ruth and David (Grande). Ruth - there are some girls here in KY that are going to be mighty jealous when they see you holding his hand :)

Thank you so much for these pics, Diane!!! I am so happy that handsome David is home and enjoying snow sledding with his Momma :)

Broken Camera = No Good Pictures

Ugh, ugh, ugh -- my camera is "broken". It will still take pics, but nothing like it used to. . . it just won't focus most of the time. I first noticed this right before leaving for my last visit trip, and it has gotten progressively worse. So, this blog (and I) will have to suffer until we can afford a new one (which will probably be a loooooooong while from now).

So, here are a few of the salvageable pics that I have gotten over the past few weeks --

So sweet (even with a toy-bin hat)

Our version of a drum set

"Parksie Poodle" in her poodle dress :)

My poor Super Boy has been sick - you can see his little watery eyes

(you can also see teeth marks on the bridge of his nose, but that's another story!)Brayden loves rice & beansSo does Parker G!Here is Park with her piggy tails -- And here is Park after you take them out --This was taken today - For the past couple of weeks, Brayden has begged to get up on the counter in the kitchen. I thought maybe he just liked looking out that window. . . but this evening, Michael figured it out! He thinks there are fish in there - hahahaha!!!! We've really got to get this boy an aquarium :)

Today

I'm sending you extra hugs and kisses today, mis chulos.

Te amo muchos. . . siempre y siempre y siempre.

Hair Problems!

My boy's got serious hair problems! When Brayden sleeps, this is what happens -- I've tried gels, cremes, glosses -- nothing seems to help. We try to keep it short in the back, but still it gets so matted! But even with crazy hair, he looks so handsome :)

PG is 11 Months Old :)

Oh, my baby girl is growing up. She has gotten so big and so, so pretty :) I just adore my little PG!!!!

I love to watch Parker G when she goes to bed at night. She rolls to her right on to her tummy, tucks her hands in, and closes her sweet little eyes. During the night she inches her way up in the crib, and when she bumps her head (enough times), she will turn around and start going the other way. What a cute little way to sleep :)

I love you all the way, my beautiful little AngelBaby.

FFF # 22 - Sleeping Angels

Sarah's FFF challenge was a tough one for me this week, because I have so many favorite sleeping pictures!!! Here some of the ones that I love the most --

A Day for Hearts -- CHD Awareness Day

Somewhere...someplace... today...

A family is waiting to hear...

Is something wrong with their baby?

The answers aren't quite clear...

This family has entered an unwanted world...

And they just don't know what to expect...

Somewhere...someplace... today...

They first heard the words: heart defect.

And how they hoped this was not true...

And thought... this cannot be...

I too... know just how this feels...

For one day...this was me.



Somewhere...someplace...today...

A man and a woman embrace...

Their baby is in surgery...

They long to see her face...

They haven't got to hold her yet...

Without...a cord or line...

They pace the room awaiting news...

And hope she'll be just fine.

Prayers fill this busy waiting room...

And mom and dad are scared...

Somewhere...someplace..today...

The tiniest hearts are repaired.



Somewhere...someplace...today...

A child's growing fast...

Smiling,laughing,thriving...

His mom thinks...can this last?

It's almost easy...to forget...

That anything is wrong...

Somewhere...someplace..today...

Her child seems so strong.



Somewhere...someplace... today...

A little boy fights...just to live

A father holds his tiny hand...

His love...all he can give...

The doctor's are all baffled...

They fear that he might die...

Somewhere...someplace...today...

A family says goodbye...



Somewhere...someplace...each year..

More than 40,000 families will see...

What it means...when something's wrong...

They'll face a CHD.

Today...for just a moment...

Stop...remember...reflect...

Make time to tell someone you know...

"I've been changed by a heart defect".

Author - Stephanie Husted

New Year's Rockin' Eve at the Hogar

Sweet, Precious Gerson

It sure did me good to see a smile on this boy's face :)

Handsome Little Elviz

Every month, he has the same disgruntled look -- I love it :)

Goodbye Good Crib!

Brayden Mynor is 2.5 years old. Most parents would have ditched the crib a long time ago. . . but I was *clinging* to the crib as long as I could! You see, my babies are good sleepin' babies. We have the world's most wonderful bedtime routine in our house - You tell the babies that they have a good crib, you put them in the crib and tell them to get good rest, and they do. It works great for all of us :) Brayden does not deal well with change. Any change. So, I put off converting his crib to a toddler bed as long as possible.

Monday at naptime, Brayden "announced" that the days of good rest in the good crib were over. Yeah, he climbed out and headed down the hall to visit his sleeping baby sister. So, we have now officially converted to the toddler bed!

Kissing the Good Crib Goodbye!

"Super"vising the work

Checking out the new "Good Bed"

And finally settling in for a nice bedtime story :)

We've had 2 nights of not-so-good rest and no naps in the bed. . . he slept in the glider in his room today. However, we may have turned the corner because tonight he was as quiet as a mouse within 5-10 minutes of me leaving the room. I sure hope that he is getting good rest :)

Forever Family Day!

Today is our Forever Family Day with Brayden!!! I cannot begin to describe how wonderful and amazing the past 2 years have been. I love this child so much, and we are truly blessed beyond measure!

Brayden Mynor Elias, today is the very special day that we celebrate having you in our lives! You are a precious gift from God and a dream come true. I certainly don't deserve you, but I am so, so thankful that I have you! I love you all the way, all the time, no matter what!

Happy Forever Family Day!!!

FFF #21 - Messy Faces

Sarah's theme challenge this week is Messy Faces. As you can see, some children are messier than others :)

B is for Brayden

Brayden, Brayden Mynor.

Side Note - Am I the only dork who makes up a song for everything? Seriously, my kids have lots of songs dedicated to them by their no-talent-singing Momma.

Side Note #2 - Yes, I do realize that I have become the world's laziest blogger. Very few posts, not many words, no actual information. Impressive, right?

On to the post --

Bray has been working very hard on his speech lately. When he signs something now, I say "Use your words" and point to my mouth. He taps his finger on his chin and lets out a little vowel sound. He is trying! (And it is so cute.)

We've been working on the "b" sound for a while and have tried everything that we can think of to encourage him to try to say it. Here is one of our favorite "b" activites -- bubbles!!!!

Yesterday, my big guy had big success with the "b" sound! He will say "biii" for "bite". Whoo-hoo! Way to go, Super :) I am SO proud of my handsome boy :)

Pretty Baby

Not Normal

I was tagged by DJ Holly Rock and Kelli (sorry I'm a little delayed in my reaction ladies) to post 7 strange/weird facts about myself. I think I have done this before, but I will try not to have any repeats since I think you all got the hug message last time!

1. I shamelessly enjoy playing games in Webkinz World.
2. I have a "theory" for almost everything. Most of my conversations include me saying, "My theory is . . . "
3. I do not watch the news because I cannot stand media spin.
4. I have never voted for the winning candidate in a Presidental election, and I doubt that I will this year (and yes, I do vote).
5. Michael and I made a list of goals that we had to accomplish before we got married. One of the goals was that I had to pick a college major. I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I just opened the catalog and chose. The Department of Business was first, and I chose the first 2 listed in there (just in case I didn't like one).
6. I do not wear a coat in the winter because I think it is more hassle than it is worth.
7. I remember my dreams in great detail, and I (try to) find meaning in my dreams. Right now, I am examining my life trying to figure out what a staticy TV represents.

Wow, I sound so not normal.

FFF #20 - Did you See the News?

Sweet Sara got . . . . . 2 thumbs up from PGN :)


That beautiful girl is OUT, and she will be coming home soon!!! Congratulations Tim, Jenn, Ali (Al-leeeee), Rachel, McCaleb and Sweet Sara :) :) :) I cannot wait to see you as a family of six!